Storage, Transport, Handling and Disposal
Storage: a dedicated, lockable, dry, ventilated structure away from food, feed, seed, fertilizer, livestock and living areas; impermeable floor with a sill or berm to contain leaks; liquids stored below powders; original labelled containers only, never drink bottles; a current posted inventory; fire extinguisher, spill kit and wash water on hand; no smoking, eating or drinking. Keep temperatures within label limits - freezing ruins some ECs and suspends powders, while heat builds pressure and degrades product. Rotate stock, use oldest first, and keep SDSs accessible.
Transport: containers closed, upright, secured and separated from food and passengers, labels visible. Dangerous goods rules apply above set quantities - the driver needs training and shipping documents, and the vehicle needs correct placards. Never carry pesticides in the cab where a spill could overcome the driver.
Handling: mix and load on a pad or in the field, away from wells and drains; use a check valve or anti-backflow device on the water line; never clear a line with your mouth; rinse empty containers immediately (triple-rinse or pressure-rinse) and pour the rinsate into the tank.
Disposal: puncture or crush rinsed containers so they cannot be reused, and deliver them to a municipal or CleanFarms collection point - never burn, bury, or reuse them for any purpose. Use up leftover concentrate per the label or return it through a licensed disposal program; never dump rinsate in a ditch. Container sizes accepted by common collection programs are the typical jug sizes (about 23 L and under); larger drums need the appropriate program.
Traps: storing product in a pop bottle or unlabelled jar; keeping a partly used container with a faded label; and "triple rinsing" by setting the container aside for later.
Rule of thumb: three rinses, each using at least 10% of the container volume, each emptied into the spray tank, leaves the container safe for disposal.